Opinion needed: RPL-300 or Herc-250

[laze_doctor]

What do you guys think?

 

[Murudai]

I think it is programmable because you can get the adjustable model with adjustable output, which most other portable lasers I've seen don't have.

I'm not sure you'll regret not getting the RPL-400. 300mW is a heck of a lot just off. Though, you know how I'm selling the RPL-300? That's because I've purchased an RPL-400 as well So if you wait a week I can give you a comparison ;D

I don't think you will have any problems with customs. To my knowledge, no one in Australia has had any problems with customs yet. And if it is caught, they'll probably just return to sender.

 

[Murudai]

Well, not really.

You can disguise the RPL as a flashlight or something. But you could also disguise the herc as a small fence pole. Just plant it in your garden, they'll never find it

 

[diachi]

Well, not really.

You can disguise the RPL as a flashlight or something. But you could also disguise the herc as a small fence pole. Just plant it in your garden, they'll never find it  

;D;D;D

Or say its a new type of baseball bat.
;D

Diachi

 

[Ace82]

Optotronics has the BEST customer service.  
The RPL-300 averages between 320-360mW
Has single Li ion rechargeable batt (in lieu of the large D cells)

Edit: For visual, the difference of the 300 & 400 is noticeable if you compare them at the same time, but you probably wouldn’t notice by themselves. But for burning, of coarse the additional 80-120mW will make a difference.

 

[john_lawson]

also you have a few days left and Jack is giving free express shipping  to the land down under till June 25 I believe i saw on his sig so dont delay get your RPL TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edit on battery use time ive been through two batteries in three and a half months I dont use every day
but then it hasn't been FOGGY yet mua ha ha ha ha

 

[diachi]

If *that's* 150mW, I can't even imagine what 400 would be like  ;D

Correction :

A lot >400mW

 

[iewed]

Just be sure to have some quality safety glasses on hand before this beast arrives. And don't forget the 7.5% off discount Jack gives you for being a member of LPF, thats a savings of over $100 (More than enough for a pair of safety glasses).

 

[Razako]

Just FYI laserglow seems to significantly underrate their hercs. A herc 300 will probably put out 300mw minimum and 350mw average with a peak somewhere in the 400s. Nova does the same thing with their pointers. People will buy an x-75 and get something putting out >90mw.
Basically you are likely to get more than you pay for if you buy from laserglow.

 

[Razako]

Well seeing as you own both, Razako, can you comment on the 100% duty cycle issue?

The 100% duty cycle for the herc is 100% true. They have an indicator light that comes on if the laser is in danger of overheating and I haven't seen it yet despite running mine for over 15 minutes at a time. The herc has a HUGE heatsinked head with a small cooling fan inside. I need to run mine for over 10 minutes before I can even notice the head warming up a bit.

 

[millionaire]

If it were me buying it i would definatly go for the RPL since Jack is such a nice guy. Rpl also has a tighter beam its smaller in size and when are u goign to keep your laser on for 10 mins at a time. plus it does have a really good duty cycle so overall its a better burner hence tighter beam and 50 more mW in a smaller package and amazing customer service. But do what you want, if you want something with 100% duty go for the herc if u want a good burner go rpl.

 

[RA_pierce]

But do what you want, if you want something with 100% duty go for the herc if u want a good burner go rpl.

Umm... I'm sure a 350mW Herc would be pretty much the same a 350mW RPL as far as burning goes. When it comes to that kind of power, I don't think a 0.5mm difference in beam diameter will affect it much.

Personally, I'd go with the LG Hercules. It's massive, but it does have a 100% duty cycle and a user accessible potentiometer. You can adjust it basically the same way you can adjust the RPL. It would likely peak in the 400mW range and with the pot maxed out I'll bet you can get a stable class IV laser (more than 500mW).
And LG has their X10DR beam expander that you can use to increase the burning range of your laser. If you buy it with the Herc you get $150 off.
Plus, the Herc just looks badass.
You can't beat that.

Plenty of people have RPL's... and I'm sure they're great units...
But How many people have a Herc?

But the Herc is in a class of it's own and it's tough to compare something built for massive power to a more compact unit. That's just my opinion.

 

[Maelstrom]

Pierce, I believe you can get RPL in adjustable power units where you turn the tail cap for the different power levels.

 

[PharmD4]

I was initially going to go with a LaserGlow Aries because I was really interested in getting the X10DR attachment but then found optotronics and this forum and I am glad I did.  After reading about everyone's positive experience when dealing with optotronics on this forum and the lower prices I ultimately went with the RPL 260 and am glad I did.  When you are dropping about $1k on a laser you want to know you are dealing with someone who takes customer service seriously.  I can tell you first hand that Jack is a GREAT guy to do business with and that alone is worth money.

Reasons I went with RPL
1)  AMAZING customer service
2)  Lower prices
3)  7.5% Discount for LPF members
4)  12 month warranty (RPL) vs. 6 month warranty (Aries/Herc)
5)  Size - The Herc is a monster!
6)  Rechargable battery - Will save you money in the long run!

The problem with buying lasers is you ALWAYS regret not going with more mW  So I say buy as many mW as possible because you will always want more.  Because now I am wishing I would have went with the RPL-350 because really what is another couple hundred bucks in the grand scheme of things

By the way does anyone happen to know if a X10DR would fit on a RPL?  Anyone here actually have a X10DR?  Would be nice to know what the inside dimensions are.  I know the diameter of the Aries is 38 mm and the RPL is 40mm but the laserglow website only gives the outer dimensions of the X10DR not the inner dimensions.  

 

[Razako]

[quote author=Razako link=1213194540/12#12 date=1213235370]
The 100% duty cycle for the herc is 100% true. They have an indicator light that comes on if the laser is in danger of overheating and I haven't seen it yet despite running mine for over 15 minutes at a time. The herc has a HUGE heatsinked head with a small cooling fan inside. I need to run mine for over 10 minutes before I can even notice the head warming up a bit.

Cool. How about the RPL? Has it ever overheated while you were running it at the optimal level?

PharmD4, good advice. Although I believe the Herc can also be run off rechargeable batteries. If not then I would *never* consider getting it.

iewed, awesome. Didn't know about the discount. Wouldn't dream of using it without glasses.



I am trying to get the RPL-400 but it's not looking good ATM. Parents freaked out (I think they may have bought into all the media misinformation). I'm 20yo, so I *could* easily buy it without permission (or even apply for a student loan and get the RPL-400) but while I'm still living with them I'm basically screwed.


I don't see a laser any differently from owning a gun, knife, driving a car, etc. If used irresponsibly they all have the potential to cause disaster. But I take safety very seriously (not just with lasers). I told them this, but they weren't impressed. I'm never going to forgive myself if I miss the deadline [/quote]
If you can't afford the 400mw you should at least get the 300mw. After July 1st you probably have a chance to get one for years. When running my RPL on the listed optimal level it usually doesn't heat up unless you leave it on for more than 5 minutes. You can also run it on a lower level like 1-3 and leave it running until the battery is drained without worrying about heat. If you want a true 100% duty cycle at max power your only option is the herc.

 

[Murudai]

I am trying to get the RPL-400 but it's not looking good ATM. Parents freaked out (I think they may have bought into all the media misinformation). I'm 20yo, so I *could* easily buy it without permission (or even apply for a student loan and get the RPL-400) but while I'm still living with them I'm basically screwed.

heh heh

If my parents knew about these lasers I have, they'd probably freak. Advantages of not living at home and using your own money